Mike Tyson once said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Life’s humor isn’t always the laugh-out-loud kind; sometimes, it’s more ironic and bewildering.
Think about it. We diligently adhere to life’s “guidelines”, doing what’s “expected”, yet financial troubles can still ambush us. Remember those days when college seemed like the golden ticket because the guidance counselor said so? We dove into the best internships and job offers even before graduating made us feel we had it all under control. We thought, “This isn’t the hard life our parents talked about. It’s a new era; things have changed.”
Complacency, backed by a good job, made us overly confident. Considering student loans as mere hiccups, we thought getting an MBA would supercharge our careers. Plus, halting undergrad loan repayments and an employer willing to contribute to grad school costs seemed like signs of our astuteness.
When peers started investing in urban condos, stretching our budget for one seemed smart. After all, don’t real estate values always go up? We felt invincible until life threw its unexpected punch.
Then, just like that, life’s unforeseen challenges shattered our perceived invulnerability. Mike Tyson’s words echoed: “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” The blame game begins, but whose fault is it really?
Colossians 2:8 (ESV) warns, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit…” Here, I want to address the danger of succumbing to the world’s fatalistic views.
Financial hurdles are inevitable for many of us. We might face professional rejections, redundancies, or other setbacks. How we respond, either by drowning in self-pity or rising above, is up to us. By wallowing in victimhood, we inadvertently challenge God’s divine plan and power.
Growing up, my family faced financial challenges. My father abandoned his child-support responsibilities, but did that derail my mother’s spirit? No. She viewed it as a challenge to overcome.
Challenges and trials are real, but they don’t define us. We mustn’t elevate them over our faith in Christ.
Victim or Victor?
Pointing fingers might provide temporary relief, but it’s not the solution. God expects us to bounce back. Surprisingly, adversities should be expected. The world often plays the blame game, but the Bible reminds us that we are more than conquerors. As Jesus said in John 16:33 (ESV), “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Life won’t always be smooth sailing. Financial setbacks can either briefly stumble us or completely knock us out. The Bible, in Micah 7:8, assures us, “Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; when I fall I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.”
Throughout my life, I’ve faced countless financial hardships. From childhood scarcity to adult struggles, it’s been a rocky road. But God’s grace always showed the way. When life throws financial punches, it’s crucial to learn, adjust, and, if necessary, let God be our guiding light.
There are moments of sheer despair in everyone’s life. Moments where hope seems lost. But as King David demonstrated, even in the darkest times, we can find strength in the Lord.
Find Your Strength
It’s essential to remember that both discouragement and encouragement are choices. After Moses’ passing, God reminded Joshua three times to be brave. Our identity lies in God’s word, not worldly judgments.
Growing up with a single mother, I saw her unwavering faith in God despite life’s trials. Often, we give undue weight to negative opinions about us, sidelining God’s affirmations. God views us as royal, and His word in Colossians 1: 21-22 (NKJV) reminds us that we are “holy, blameless, and above reproach.”
The Battle for Financial Peace
I understand that financial struggles can be overwhelmingly real. But I urge you to confront them with faith and resilience. When down, rise up, and if you can’t, seek God’s light. Engage in the good fight of faith, knowing that God is always in your corner.
Choose not to be a financial casualty. Understand that you are designed for greatness. As beautifully penned by Kristin DiMarco in her song I Am No Victim:
“I am who He says I am,
He is who He says He is.”
